The innovative project of the Bundeswehr logistics command: Future orientation Cooperations in logistics

Strategic importance and background

The “Future Orientation Cooperation in Logistics” project was developed by the Bundeswehr logistics command as a pioneering initiative to strengthen military logistics skills for the challenges of the 21st century. In view of the changed security policy situation in Europe, the project launched in 2015 is gaining an even greater strategic importance.

The Bundeswehr faces significant challenges: it requires significantly higher secure logistical capacities than are available today in order to meet the requirements of state and alliance defense. At the same time, due to its central geographical location in Europe, Germany has become a decisive logistical hub for NATO and EU partnerships. As a transit nation, Germany has to make support to a significantly larger extent than before, whereby up to 800,000 soldiers of the NATO alliance partners must be relocated by German territory within 180 days.

These enormous requirements cannot be managed solely by military capacities. The Bundeswehr's logistics command, which, with around 17,000 soldiers and civil workers at 72 locations, is one of the largest ability command of the armed forces, recognized early on the need to develop innovative ways of cooperation with the commercial economy.

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• The historical turn in German finance and security policy- tripling of defense spending

Structural structure of the project

The project is divided into four specialized specialist panels, each examining and developing different cooperation areas between the Bundeswehr and the economy. These panels systematically work on specific solutions and have already achieved considerable success.

Material management and storage

The first panel focuses on the value-preserving storage of selected ammunition and material segments. In view of the fact that the Bundeswehr's storage capacities are already 85 percent busy and significantly higher ammunition and material amounts have to be stored in the future, innovative cooperation models have been developed.

The challenge is particularly in the storage of around 1,300 different types of ammunition, whereby ammunition with high equivalent mass, high space requirement and high stocks represent critical factors. The panel has developed various model approaches, including the needs-based provision of exercise and maneuvers by industry as well as the value-preserving storage by commercial partners.

A concrete pilot project was developed for the supply of military training areas with ammunition, in which logistical service providers are properly store the ammunition on their company premises and, according to the group's request, deliver directly to the practice places via the Bundeswehr logistics center. This model could first be tested on the Munster/Bergen military training area or in the combat training center.

Logistical support in the relocation of forces

The second panel deals with logistical support in intermodal transport and the laying of forces. Germany acts as a strategic hub in the center of Europe and must support both allied troops in transit and be able to move their own Bundeswehr forces to the periphery of the alliance area.

The integration of commercial services in the full service spectrum is of crucial importance here, since own military capacities will not be foreseeable or will only be available to very small dimensions. The panel develops cooperation models for various performance areas, including the operation of transshipment points on land, air, sea and inland navigation terminals as well as the implementation of transport services and the structure of rest rooms along the marching routes.

A significant success of this panel is the conclusion of the first Full service provider contract with FEPS GmbH in August 2017 for accommodation. This pioneering contract enables accommodation for up to 2000 soldiers to be built in the country of operations without having to carry out complex tendering procedures on site.

Another milestone has recently been reached: Rheinmetall received a large order worth up to 260 million euros for logistical support in the relocation of forces. The contract expressly stipulates that these services are also provided in the defense and alliance case and includes the structure and operation of rest and collection rooms along marching routes.

Maintenance and production

The third panel deals with cooperation opportunities in the area of ​​maintenance and manufacturing. Various approaches are followed here to ensure that the skills are sustainable with the economy through synergy effects and maintain or increase capacity.

Particular attention is paid to the cooperation in local maintenance facilities, where innovative models such as the “mixed model” were developed. In this approach, civilian company staff and military staff “shoulder” work in Bundeswehr's own institutions under the Bundeswehr ownership. As an alternative, the “parallel model” is available, in which operated but separate work areas are set up.

A concrete project deals with the willingness to issue the pending field camp material, with cooperation partners taking responsibility for storage, maintenance, maintenance and ensuring the issuance. The logistical leadership remains with the Bundeswehr, while the practical implementation is carried out by commercial partners.

Cooperative personnel models

The fourth panel develops innovative personnel cooperation between the Bundeswehr and the economy. In view of the demographic change and the scarcity of qualified staff, this cooperation is an important solution for both sides.

The technical training of soldiers in the Logistics of the Bundeswehr corresponds to large parts of civil standards or even goes beyond. After completing their active service, Time soldiers represent an important personnel resource for the logistics industry, while at the same time as reserve service providers they can still play a significant role for the Bundeswehr.

The Logistics Network Thuringia has already announced its participation in this initiative with the aim of gaining and binding specialists through mutual employment and qualification. This should not explicitly not take a bilateral, but a partnership -based cooperation should arise.

Optimization of award procedures

In addition to the four main areas, the project also works on the optimization of award procedures. A guideline for market exploration and a position paper were developed into performance descriptions in order to improve cooperation between needs supporters, needs coverers and the economy.

These measures aim to systematize findings in recent years and to ensure better synchronization from the start between all those involved. The guideline for market seal is available to interested companies via the official website.

For companies there are concrete business opportunities in different areas

Material management and storage

Companies can participate in the valuable storage of ammunition and material, whereby the focus is on particularly large -volume material and ammunition of various hazard classes. The allocation takes place via multi -partner framework contracts with terms of five to seven years.

Transport services

Logistics companies can apply as a general contractor for defined scope of services of intermodal relocation. This includes port operations on sea, air and rail terminals as well as the provision of rest rooms.

Maintenance and production

Companies with appropriate technical expertise can participate in cooperations in local maintenance institutions. Specialized qualifications in various trades are particularly important.

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• Defense logistics: Germany's key role in the NATO strategy-how AI and robots can advance the Bundeswehr

Success examples and pilot projects

The project has already achieved several concrete successes that serve as a blueprint for further collaborations. The Bundeswehr's first full-service provider contract with FEPS GmbH for accommodation is considered a milestone in civil-military cooperation. This contract for two years with an extension option enables complex operational properties to be established without elaborate tenders on site.

The cooperation with the Deutsche Post DHL Group, which was signed in 2017, shows another successful model of cooperation. This agreement enables departing soldiers to a seamless transition to civil working life, while post-employees are also obtained for the reserve service.

The pilot project for ammunition supply on military training areas was successfully developed and is to be tested first on the Munster/Bergen military training area or in the combat training center. Logistical service providers take on the professional storage and direct delivery of the practice places on request from the Bundeswehr logistics center.

Strategic importance for Germany

The initiative “Future orientation cooperations in logistics” has a strategic importance that goes far beyond the pure increase in efficiency. Due to its geographical location, Germany plays a key role in the European security architecture. As a central transit nation and logistical hub, the country is essential for the functionality of the NATO alliance defense.

The national security strategy of 2023 explicitly emphasizes Germany's role as a “logistical hub” for NATO and identifies the strengthening and protection of military logistics as an important national task. The challenge is huge: While only about 30 percent of the alliance troops were comprehensive in the weddings of the Afghanistan mission, 800,000 soldiers now have to be relocated to the NATO-East flank in three waves.

The Bundeswehr's logistics command in Erfurt is expanded accordingly. Major General Gerald Funke announced that the command will receive 1,000 additional posts in the next few years, mainly for a new logistics battalion. At the same time, the Bundeswehr invests almost 100 million euros in the Erfurt location, including 50 million euros in the Löberfeld barracks.

A shortage of skilled workers meets defense: Innovative cooperation models between business and the Bundeswehr

The implementation of the project faces various challenges that are systematically addressed. A central point is the legal complexity in the integration of civil service providers into military processes. In particular, aspects of the war weapons control law, property transitions and complex interfaces must be taken into account in ammunition management.

The security requirements are another challenge. Personnel of cooperation partners who work in sensitive areas require security checks up to the “Ü2 sabotasous”. This requires a careful selection and qualification of the partners.

The demographic development and the associated shortage of skilled workers concern both the Bundeswehr and the economy. The project encounters this challenge through innovative personnel models that enable mutual employment and qualification.

Another critical aspect is the guarantee of security of supply. Bundeswehr logistics must be able to fully rely on their civil and commercial back-up, since it remains an unchangeable national responsibility for the care of the armed forces. At the same time, civilian service providers basically have a right to refuse performance, which requires new approaches in the contractual regulations and accompanying framework conditions.

Technological innovation and digitization

The project also takes into account the increasing importance of technological innovation and digitization in logistics. The Bundeswehr is working on the integration of modern technologies into their logistical processes to increase efficiency and responsiveness. This includes the use of digital platforms for coordination between military and civil partners and the implementation of automated procurement systems.

The development of common standards and interfaces between military and civil systems is of crucial importance. This enables the advantages of both worlds to be used: the innovative strength and efficiency of the economy with the specific requirements and security standards of the Bundeswehr.

Economic effects and market potential

The project “Future Orientation Cooperation in Logistics” opens up significant economic opportunities for the German logistics industry. The Bundeswehr has to quickly invest significantly more money in its logistical system, from which the commercial logistics industry will also benefit. The planned investments create new business areas and long -term partnerships between the public and private sector.

For companies, the various panels result in concrete opportunities to participate with different investment and risk profiles. The spectrum of the possibilities ranges from storage and management of material to complex transport services to specialized maintenance services.

The long-term perspective is particularly attractive: the changed security policy situation in Europe and focus on state and alliance defense means that the need for logistical capacities will remain permanently increased. This creates predictable business opportunities for companies that integrate into the system at an early stage.

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• European military logistics according to the US model? Strategic teaching and a timetable for European defense logistics

International dimension and NATO cooperations

The project also has an important international dimension. Germany works closely with NATO partners to develop common standards and procedures for logistical support. The Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC) in Ulm plays a central role in the multinational coordination of logistics processes.

The cooperation also extends to the area of ​​military rail transport. The framework contract with Deutsche Bahn for rail transports in international traffic, which enables cross -border transports within NATO, is an example of successful international cooperation. Among other things, this agreement enables the relocation of German forces from the very high readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) as a fast intervention force.

Military logistics opens up for innovative cooperation with the private sector

The project “Future orientation cooperations in logistics” is in continuous further development. The Bundeswehr's logistics command is open to new ideas and cooperation fields on the part of the economy. In addition to the established panels, there are further cooperation opportunities in the closer cooperation with the commercial economy in Bundeswehr depots and in the training of motorists.

The experiences from the pilot projects flow continuously into the further development of the cooperation models. Special emphasis is placed on the scalability and transferability of successful approaches. The regular information events serve not only the information of interested companies, but also to exchange experiences and the joint further development of the cooperation models.

An important aspect of future development is the integration of sustainability aspects into the logistical processes. The Bundeswehr is working on the development of more environmentally friendly logistics solutions, which opens up new cooperation opportunities with companies that specialize in sustainable technologies.

The project “Future Orientation Cooperation in Logistics” by the Bundeswehr logistics command is an innovative and future -oriented initiative that not only strengthens Germany's military skills, but also opens up significant economic opportunities for the German logistics industry. The systematic development of cooperation models between the public and private sector creates sustainable partnerships that serve both the security interests of the country and the economic interests of the companies involved. The continuous further development and adaptation to new challenges makes this project an important building block for the future viability of the German security and logistics architecture.

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• The Working Group Defense of the SME Connect - Strengthening SMEs in European defense

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